Surgical saw blade for wedge osteotomies

ABSTRACT

A surgical blade for performing a wedge osteotomy, the blade including a body portion, having a cutting tip on a first end for initially cutting into the bone; a cutting slope comprising multiple rows of cutting teeth at multiple planes to resect bone as it enters, leaving a wedge osteotomy; a shaft of a predetermined length and width for supporting the cutting slope; and a saw attachment base on a second end of the blade for engaging a base of a saw to cause the blade to oscillate and perform the wedge osteotomy.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/164,594, filed Mar. 30, 2009, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to surgical devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a surgical saw blade for wedge osteotomies.

2. General Background of the Invention

Current surgical saw blades make straight or crescentic shaped osteotomies. This causes the user to make multiple osteotomies to resect a wedge of bone. Creation of multiple osteotomies is time consuming, and can create inconsistent wedge sizes and planar inaccuracies.

As can be seen, there is a need for a surgical saw blade for precise, reproducible, and predictable wedge osteotomies.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus of the present invention solves the problem in a simple and straightforward manner. What is provided is a surgical blade for use with a saw, the bland which includes a cutting tip, having a plurality of cutting teeth; a shaft having a cutting slope, with the plurality of teeth positioned along multiple planes on the cutting slope; a neck portion; and a saw base; wherein the saw causes the blade to oscillate as it undergoes the cutting procedure.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an overall view of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an overall view of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an overall view of a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of a third embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the invention and shows the rows of cutting teeth and cutting tip having a radius.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. However, any single inventive feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or may only address one of the problems discussed above. Further, one or more of the problems discussed above may not be fully addressed by any of the features described below.

An embodiment of the present invention adds a slope on one side of the blade from the distal tip to the proximal shaft with teeth to allow for a precise predetermined wedge of bone to be resected with performing only one osteotomy. The present invention relates to a surgical saw blade for precise, reproducible, and predictable wedge osteotomies.

Embodiments of the present invention include a surgical saw blade for creating precise wedge osteotomies that are reproducible and predictable, to be used to correct angular deformities in bones and joints. An embodiment of the invention, which may be called a “wedge osteotomy blade,” creates a precise predetermined wedge cut in bone with one pass. This can eliminate the need for two passes with a standard bone saw blade, as well as eliminate planar inconsistencies associated with multiple passes. The osteotomy is reproducible and predictable.

FIGS. 1 through 8 illustrate the preferred embodiments of the device of the present invention. Broadly, each embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8 is generally a surgical saw blade 12 for precise, reproducible, and predictable wedge osteotomies. Although each embodiment has slight modifications over other embodiments, it should be known that the principal inventive features as claimed are found in each embodiment as shown in the FIGS. 1 through 8.

In each embodiment, the wedge osteotomy blade 12 is a device designed to create a precise, predetermined wedge osteotomy in bone. The wedge osteotomy blade 12 could be retro-fitted to any surgical saw configuration. The wedge osteotomy blade 12 could be constructed of surgical grade stainless steel or any other material used for cutting bone that can be sterilized.

The blade 12 further comprises a blade body 13 having a cutting tip 14 which is designed with multiple teeth 16 to create a cut in bone when oscillated. This tip 14 preferably has a radius R, and could contain any number of teeth. The radius R is illustrated in FIG. 8. The teeth could be any length or of any design.

There is provided a cutting slope 18 designed on one side 21 of a shaft 20, with the underside 22 being flat. The cutting slope 18 could be any rise over run desired for creating a wedge osteotomy (see FIG. 8). The slope should be at its highest height near the neck 24 and at its lowest height at the cutting tip 14.

The cutting slope 18 has multiple rows of cutting teeth 19. Each row of teeth 19 is elevated above the run of the distal row of teeth 19. The cutting teeth 19 could be of any design and preferably have the same radius, number of teeth, and same length as the cutting tip 14.

The shaft 20 is designed to be flat on four surfaces and accommodates the cutting slope 18 on the fifth surface 25, and the cutting tip 14 on the sixth surface 26. The shaft 20 could be of any shape, preferably rectangular or trapezoidal. The shaft 20 extends from the neck 21 to the cutting tip 14. The shaft 20 could be any length and width.

The neck 21 is designed to be the transition from the shaft 20 to the saw attachment base 27.

The saw attachment base 27 allows the blade 12 to be attached to a surgical saw (not illustrated).

The invention provides the surgeon a way to make accurate wedge osteotomies with predictability and reproducibility. The wedge osteotomy blade 12 has a cutting tip 14 to start the osteotomy. The cutting slope 18 resects bone as it enters, leaving a wedge osteotomy. The cutting slope 18 has rows of cutting teeth 19 for resection of bone while oscillating. The shaft 20 is of a predetermined length and width and supports the cutting slope 18. The neck 21 is the transition of the shaft 20 into the saw attachment base 27. The saw attachment base 27 can be of any design to fit any number of surgical saw manufacturers.

The wedge osteotomy blade 12 is one component. It can be manufactured from surgical grade stainless steel or any other material used for cutting bone that can be sterilized.

The wedge osteotomy blade 12 works by creating a precise, predetermined, wedge osteotomy in bone. To perform an osteotomy with the wedge osteotomy blade 12, the Surgeon has to first attach the blade 12 to a surgical saw (not illustrated). The surgical saw could be from any manufacturer. The wedge osteotomy blade 12 which is being oscillated by the surgical saw is then introduced into the bone in a straight fashion. The surgeon can dictate whether to make a complete through and through osteotomy, or leave the distal cortex intact as a hinge. After satisfactory wedge resection, saw is disengaged and removed from bone. It leaves a precise, predetermined, wedge osteotomy for the surgeon to correct angular deformities in bones and joints.

To make this invention a detailed drawing, or a computer aided design drawing is needed. With the aforementioned drawings, one could machine a wedge osteotomy blade from surgical grade stainless steel or any other material used for cutting bone that can be sterilized.

Another way to reconfigure the wedge osteotomy blade 12 would be to have the cutting slope 18 on two opposite sides of the shaft 20 to create a two sided cutting surface for a “V” type wedge resection, instead of the “right triangle” shaped wedge.

A person would use the invention in the following way. First the saw attachment base 27 is attached to a surgical saw from any number of manufactures. The next step would be to turn the surgical saw on, which in turn would oscillate the wedge osteotomy blade 12. The surgeon then engages the bone with the cutting tip 14 first. As the surgeon advances the blade 12 in a linear fashion through the bone the cutting slope 18 resects a wedge of bone with precision, predictability, and reproducibility.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention.

PARTS LIST Part Number Description 12 wedge osteotomy blade 13 blade body 14 cutting tip 18 cutting slope 19 cutting teeth 20 shaft 21 neck 22 underside 25 fifth surface 26 sixth surface 27 saw attachment base

All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.

The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A surgical blade for use with a saw for performing a one pass wedge osteotomy, comprising: a. a blade body having proximal and distal ends, wherein the distal end has a horizontal width narrower than a horizontal width of the proximal end; b. a cutting edge on the distal end of the blade body for making initial contact with a bone, the cutting edge having a first plurality of distally extending cutting teeth, positioned along a radius; c. a shaft having a slope descending from the proximal end to the cutting edge; d. a plurality of offset planes positioned along the slope, each offset plane having an upper surface; e. a plurality of rows of teeth positioned along an axis of the slope and positioned between the offset planes, each row of teeth having a horizontal width wherein a most proximal row of teeth has a widest horizontal width and the cutting edge has a narrowest horizontal width, and wherein along the slope a more proximal row of teeth is wider than a more distal row of teeth; f. each row of teeth comprising multiple teeth with distally extending cutting tips, said teeth positioned along a radius, and wherein said rows of teeth enable multiple cuts in bone with one linear pass of the surgical blade for defining and resecting a predetermined, predictable wedge shape of bone and for avoiding planar inconsistencies or inaccuracies associated with resecting a wedge of bone with more than one pass of a blade; g. a saw attachment base on the proximal end of the blade body for enabling attachment to an oscillating saw; and h. wherein the shaft does not have teeth on four surfaces and accommodates the slope on a fifth surface, and the cutting edge on a sixth surface.
 2. The surgical blade of claim 1, further comprising a neck portion intermediate the shaft and the saw attachment base.
 3. The surgical blade of claim 1, wherein along the slope, a more proximal row of teeth is elevated above a more distal row of teeth.
 4. The surgical blade of claim 1, wherein the blade is made from any material used for cutting bone that can be sterilized.
 5. The surgical blade of claim 1, wherein the blade is made from surgical grade stainless steel.
 6. The surgical blade of claim 1, wherein the teeth of each of the plurality of rows of teeth are connected.
 7. A surgical blade for performing a linear, one-pass wedge osteotomy, comprising: a. a blade body having first and second ends; b. a first plurality of cutting teeth establishing a cutting point on a first end of the blade, the cutting point having a radius; c. a shaft comprising a slope; d. a plurality of offset planes positioned along the slope, each offset plane having an upper surface; e. a plurality of rows of teeth positioned between the offset planes, each row having multiple teeth comprising cutting tips extending towards the cutting point, said teeth of each row being spaced along a radius; f. wherein the shaft does not have teeth on four surfaces and accommodates the slope on a fifth surface, and the cutting point on a sixth surface; and g. a saw attachment base on a second end of the blade for engaging a base of a saw to cause the blade to oscillate.
 8. The surgical blade of claim 7, wherein the shaft comprises a rectangular or trapezoidal shape.
 9. The surgical blade of claim 7, further comprising a neck portion intermediate the shaft and the saw attachment base.
 10. The surgical blade of claim 7, wherein the blade enables a one pass complete wedge osteotomy or a one pass wedge osteotomy wherein a distal cortex of bone is left intact as a hinge.
 11. The surgical blade of claim 7, wherein the blade is made from surgical grade stainless steel used for cutting bone that can be sterilized.
 12. The surgical blade of claim 7, wherein the multiple teeth of each row are connected.
 13. A surgical blade for performing a one-pass wedge osteotomy, the blade comprising: a. a blade body, having proximal and distal ends, a horizontal width of the distal end being narrower than a horizontal width of the proximal end; b. a cutting point on the distal end for initiating a first cut into selected bone tissue, wherein said cutting point comprises a first plurality of cutting teeth positioned along a radius; c. a cutting slope on the blade body, the cutting slope comprising a plurality of rows of teeth, each row comprising teeth with cutting tips extending towards the distal end of the blade, the plurality of rows of teeth positioned in multiple offset planes along an axis of the slope, each row having a horizontal width, wherein along the slope a more proximal row of teeth is wider than a more distal row of teeth, and wherein each row enables resection of selected bone tissue with one pass of the blade leaving a wedge osteotomy; d. a shaft for supporting the cutting slope; and e. a saw attachment base on a second end of the blade for enabling connection to a saw.
 14. A surgical blade for performing a one-pass wedge osteotomy, comprising: a. a blade body having first and second ends; b. a first plurality of cutting teeth establishing a cutting point on a first end of the blade body for initiating a cut in a bone, the cutting point having a radius; c. a shaft having a cutting slope; d. a plurality of offset planes positioned along the cutting slope, each offset plane having an upper surface; and e. a plurality of rows of teeth positioned between the offset planes, each row of teeth having multiple teeth comprising cutting tips extending towards the cutting point and spaced along a radius.
 15. The surgical blade of claim 14, wherein the shaft is rectangular.
 16. The surgical blade of claim 14, wherein the shaft is trapezoidal, and wherein the second end of the blade is wider than the first end of the blade.
 17. The surgical blade of claim 14, wherein the blade is made from any material used for cutting bone that can be sterilized.
 18. The surgical blade of claim 14, wherein the blade is made from surgical grade stainless steel used for cutting bone that can be sterilized.
 19. The surgical blade of claim 14 further comprising a saw attachment base.
 20. The surgical blade of claim 14 wherein the blade enables a one pass complete wedge osteotomy or a one pass wedge osteotomy wherein a distal cortex of bone is left intact as a hinge. 